Ilona Maher Reunites with Alan Bersten

Summary

House of Maher: Episode Summary – "Reuniting with Alan Bersten"

Hosted by Wave Originals and presented by Samsung Galaxy, "House of Maher" brings together the dynamic sister trio—Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, "Girl Dinner" creator Olivia Maher, and human rights advocate Adrianna “Dre Baby” Maher. In the April 15, 2025 episode titled "Reuniting with Alan Bersten," the sisters reconnect with Adrianna’s longtime friend and dance coach, Alan Burson. This episode delves into their experiences on "Dancing with the Stars," the complexities of their relationships, and personal growth both on and off the dance floor.

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1. Welcoming Alan Burson

The episode kicks off with a warm introduction of their guest, Alan Burson, who is not only Adrianna's dance coach but also a seasoned dancer himself.

• Adriana Mar [01:00]: "I am very, very excited to introduce our first ever guest, my good friend, my dance coach, dance partner, Alan Burson."

Alan playfully acknowledges his connection with Ilona and Olivia, setting a lighthearted tone for the conversation.

• Alan Burson [00:48]: "Look, you can do it in your sleep."

2. Travel Adventures: From the Airport to Germany

The sisters recount their recent travels, highlighting contrasting experiences from casual dining to professional engagements.

• Adriana Mar [02:05]: "We finally got first Ilona. We did it."
• Olivia Mar [02:06]: "Wow."

They share amusing anecdotes about their stops at Chili’s and Courage Bagels in Los Angeles, emphasizing their different tastes and the support Alan provided during their travels.

• Adriana Mar [03:39]: "You had been dreaming bagels for weeks."

Additionally, the episode touches on Adrianna’s visit to Adidas headquarters in Germany, where she met notable personalities like Michaela Shiffrin.

• Adriana Mar [03:27]: "It was like, that was so cool to meet a legend like that."

3. Experiences in the Sauna

A humorous segment unfolds as Adrianna and Alan discuss their intense sauna sessions, highlighting cultural differences and personal preferences.

• Adriana Mar [04:13]: "The sauna in Germany is naked. So I was like got in there. I'm like, that guy might be naked."

Their banter about enduring extreme sauna temperatures showcases their camaraderie and ability to find humor in challenging situations.

• Olivia Mar [04:46]: "It feels good."

4. Dancing with the Stars Partnership

The core of the episode focuses on Adrianna’s journey on "Dancing with the Stars" alongside Alan. They delve into the initial apprehensions, the learning curve, and the evolution of their dance partnership.

• Olivia Mar [08:04]: "You never gave up. You always tried really hard."
• Adriana Mar [17:53]: "What do you want to be with anyone else?"

Adrianna reflects on her struggle to adapt from a rugby mindset to the structured routines of dance, emphasizing the mental challenges over physical.

• Adriana Mar [17:35]: "It was mostly the mental thing for me because physically everyone's like, is it tough?"

5. Building Friendship and Trust

The sisters highlight the unique friendship that developed between Adrianna and Alan, underscoring the importance of mutual support and understanding in high-pressure environments.

• Olivia Mar [16:16]: "We became friends. We went rest, we went to eat all the time."
• Adriana Mar [46:21]: "We built a really beautiful friendship."

They discuss how this bond helped Adrianna navigate the show's stresses, fostering a supportive atmosphere that transcended the typical coach-dancer relationship.

• Olivia Mar [22:50]: "You really stand out is how genuine and vulnerable you are."

6. Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Success

Adrianna and Alan reminisce about memorable dances, mishaps, and breakthroughs on the dance floor, illustrating their growth and the joy of their accomplishments.

• Adriana Mar [32:02]: "Rumba's a great love. Why so?"
• Olivia Mar [34:03]: "We slayed that week for sure."

Highlights include the triumph of performing complex routines like the rumba and the emotional milestones that solidified their partnership.

• Adriana Mar [33:55]: "You were like, you did)
• Olivia Mar [37:55]: "You were really good in the week."

7. Body Image and Mental Well-being

A poignant discussion emerges around body image issues, mental health, and self-acceptance, particularly in the context of athletic and dance performances.

• Olivia Mar [54:34]: "Body dysmorphia is a thing. ... I've learned to love myself a lot more."
• Adriana Mar [54:27]: "Testing my body in a different way."

Both sisters candidly share their struggles and triumphs in embracing their bodies, emphasizing the importance of self-love over societal standards.

8. Future Endeavors and Closing Thoughts

As the episode nears its end, the sisters and Alan ponder future projects, potential collaborations, and the enduring strength of their relationships.

• Olivia Mar [60:05]: "I'm telling you, if you want to ..."
• Adriana Mar [61:22]: "I think we try things."

They express enthusiasm for upcoming tours, shows, and continued personal growth, reinforcing the episode’s themes of resilience, friendship, and self-improvement.

• Alan Burson [67:00]: "See you next time. Not you probably, though."

Notable Quotes:

• Adriana Mar [00:00]: "Honestly, that made my time on the show so good because I was afraid of, like, what if I don't like my partner?"
• Olivia Mar [24:27]: "Just fighters have a sound."
• Adriana Mar [33:42]: "I wanted to feel very beautiful because..."

Conclusion

"Reuniting with Alan Bersten" offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the Maher sisters' lives, their unbreakable bonds, and the transformative journey of dance and self-discovery. Through laughter, vulnerability, and unwavering support, the episode encapsulates the essence of "House of Maher" — a sanctuary where family, friends, and personal growth intersect seamlessly.

For more insights, behind-the-scenes content, and future episodes, follow "House of Maher" on social media and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Adriana Mar]

Honestly, that made my time on the show so good because I was afraid of, like, what if I don't like my partner?

[Olivia Mar]

Would you want to be with anyone else?

[Adriana Mar]

No. Unless. Come on in and welcome back to House of Mar, a Wave original presented by the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here's one of your hosts, Adriana Mar. She recently got a haircut which she is calling a bob because she doesn't go any shorter than that.

[Ilona Mar]

I'm calling it a mar bob.

[Adriana Mar]

A mar bob. Yes.

[Ilona Mar]

We are such long hair people that.

[Adriana Mar]

This feels like a bob. Of course.

[Ilona Mar]

Hi, Adriana Mar. This is Olivia Mar, one of your co hosts as well. And she should trademark this eye. Look, you can do it in your sleep.

[Alan Burson]

Thank you so much.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

So I'm Olivia Mar, and this is your other co host, Ilona Mar. A wonderfully talented person who still uses bunny ears to tie her shoelaces.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

Hey.

[Adriana Mar]

And it works.

[Ilona Mar]

What about it?

[Adriana Mar]

And I am very, very excited to introduce our first ever guest, my good friend, my dance coach, dance partner, Alan Burson. A dancer with the stars, pro, a lover of crafty and cream cheese and a very good coach, I would say. Some would say, some said. I've said it, I've said it.

[Olivia Mar]

Listen, I'm the first guest. We finally got first Ilona. We did it.

[Adriana Mar]

Feels good. Feel.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Someone bring out a mirror bowl and into honor Valen. Actually, I'm wearing my Latin ballroom dance shoes.

[Olivia Mar]

It's true.

[Adriana Mar]

I would show more of my leg, but I did not shave.

[Alan Burson]

She did not shave her legs.

[Adriana Mar]

Which funny story about that. On some of our dances, Alan would have to like run his leg and up my leg and I was like, sorry about this, buddy. I did not shave again today. So you're like, ow, ow, ow, ow.

[Olivia Mar]

Dance is a contact sport.

[Adriana Mar]

Dance a contact sport. Some. Some would say full contact sport. Yeah. But I put these on in case we did need to break out and dance.

[Olivia Mar]

Just in case.

[Ilona Mar]

A little bit of space here for you guys.

[Adriana Mar]

A little space in touch grass. We are back in the States. Olivia and I's first stop was getting Chili's.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Wow.

[Alan Burson]

I had to do a cheese pull. I had to really taste all those what. What everyone in the UK likes to call chemicals, you know what I mean? Oh, you've got dyes and chemicals. Well, it's delicious. So had to touch down and get that stuff immediately.

[Adriana Mar]

But then we went in the airport.

[Alan Burson]

We hadn't even left the airport. But then we went right from that into eating courage bagels in la. So two very different vibes. But Alona had been dreaming bagels for weeks now. You were like, that's the first thing I want to do when I get back to la.

[Olivia Mar]

I'm still upset because you went once without me and I went twice without me.

[Adriana Mar]

Is this courage bagels? What are you doing? Do you like courage bagels?

[Olivia Mar]

Do you go, I. I frequent.

[Adriana Mar]

The man eats a bagel for sure.

[Olivia Mar]

I love, I love a good open faced bagel.

[Alan Burson]

Alona said, you're a freak for cream cheese.

[Olivia Mar]

I love cream cheese. I put that on everything.

[Ilona Mar]

Flavored or just plain?

[Olivia Mar]

All of them. Garden vegetable is the best though. But I'm not going to turn down any cream cheese.

[Alan Burson]

Right, right.

[Adriana Mar]

It'll be like for strawberry. Except for strawberry. It'll be like during breaks of dancing, I'm like, where's Alan? I'll head over to Crafty. He's like dipping pretzels and cream cheese. He's got a celery stick. He's always like, you ready to go? I'm like, yeah, yeah. I was ready.

[Alan Burson]

You weren't there.

[Adriana Mar]

Let's hit it, buddy.

[Olivia Mar]

I don't remember.

[Adriana Mar]

He's always fueling up. We. Crafty was a big place we met up. That was our meeting point. I would.

[Olivia Mar]

That was our safe space.

[Adriana Mar]

Our safe space for sure.

[Alan Burson]

But before we made it back to the States though, we had a quick trip to Germany.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Where you went to the Adidas headquarters as their newest global icon athlete.

[Adriana Mar]

It was very nice. A massive headquarters is like, looked like the best college campus you've ever seen. I got to meet so many people. I met Michaela Shiffrin who was like, that was so cool to meet a legend like that. Turns out we're like about the same age.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

To me she's an icon, but she's just been doing this for so long and been such a name in the sport and in the world. It was so fun. We got to get so much cool gear. I have so many different specials and sambas and all these. I got to wear gazelles. We met great people. And then it was also cool to be in Germany.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Having some beer.

[Alan Burson]

You've never been.

[Adriana Mar]

Whoa. I've never been to Germany, but that was awesome. We had little sausages.

[Ilona Mar]

That's what they're famous for in Nuremberg is these little tiny sausages. You get like a plate of 12.

[Adriana Mar]

You know what? I also went into a sauna in Germany.

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Alan and I, we go to. We would go to the sauna in LA after dance practice. Just tons of old dudes in there. It's just him and I, we put on these special hats. What are they called?

[Olivia Mar]

The hats.

[Adriana Mar]

Anyway, this sauna gets extremely hot.

[Olivia Mar]

It does. It's like 200 degrees.

[Adriana Mar]

Something wild. And so we're in there sweating. I think we're both like, I'm not leaving until he's leaving.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

So I'm gonna stay until.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, and one random old dude is just there for like 30 minutes.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

He's chilling out.

[Alan Burson]

Was it sonic cold plunging? It was. It was like contrast 30.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, I heard you guys love to cold plunge.

[Alan Burson]

Actually, I love it. I think it's great.

[Olivia Mar]

It was so.

[Ilona Mar]

It was an experience. I'm glad I did it.

[Olivia Mar]

But it was.

[Ilona Mar]

I don't like, I'm not jonesing to go again, but if you drag me to it, I do it.

[Alan Burson]

But the sauna in Germany was quite an experience for you.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, the thing about the sauna in Germany is that they go in naked. So I was like got in there. I'm like, that guy might be naked. And so I'm just sitting there. I was in a full workout year because I just got done.

[Olivia Mar]

Where in Germany? Just for.

[Adriana Mar]

Just for the viewers to know. Just if you want to know this one specific sauna. But. So I was like, okay, this is different. Different. So the guy gets up, I kid you not, an out print of his. Of his balls on the. On the seat.

[Alan Burson]

Not the sack scan, not the.

[Adriana Mar]

On the seat. And I was like, right, this is a different level. This is. And then you just right, showered right ahead. So I like our. Our spa that we go to. Everybody's fully clothed. It's all a vibe. One guy, one time was like, do you want me to. What? What is it?

[Olivia Mar]

They're called V in Russian. They're like little bundles of leaves.

[Adriana Mar]

Is that where they do the.

[Alan Burson]

The hitting? Oh, what does that help with circulation?

[Olivia Mar]

Honestly, it's probably like one folktales, like.

[Adriana Mar]

Right.

[Olivia Mar]

It's really good for your skin, but I think it just makes your skin hotter.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

So it exudes the toxins from your body.

[Ilona Mar]

You're just smacking.

[Adriana Mar]

I'm not a scientist. Alan loves it.

[Olivia Mar]

I do love it, though.

[Adriana Mar]

It is really nice smacking. Smack yourself with a. Like a wooden thing.

[Olivia Mar]

I bought one from Amazon. That is not leaves. It's just like bamboo.

[Alan Burson]

Oh. Oh.

[Adriana Mar]

It's like, I think almost like a cupping thing, like bringing blood to the surface.

[Olivia Mar]

How good does it feel, though?

[Adriana Mar]

No, he's like, take this, like your arch shirt. Take it. So I'M hitting my arches with it.

[Olivia Mar]

It feels good.

[Adriana Mar]

It's. It is. It's a cool thing.

[Olivia Mar]

She brought one.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, my God. It's all. Pass it around. I was. One time. One time you had to, like, leave earlier. So I was just in there. Someone guy came to me like, you want me to do that to you? It's how we make friends. I was like, I'm okay, sir. I'll be fine. That's. Maybe another time.

[Alan Burson]

My friend Alan isn't here, but he's coming right back.

[Adriana Mar]

I told.

[Olivia Mar]

I usually come here with my friend Alan.

[Adriana Mar]

I need to wear.

[Olivia Mar]

He's in the bathroom.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. He goes to another school, but he's coming right now.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. Despite alone as exciting news about Adidas, for those that are only listening and can't see. See this. Allan is wearing something not celebrating her new. Her new partnership here. You. Guess you're just gonna have to get him a couple pairs.

[Olivia Mar]

I feel like you should have brought me a pair.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, something from Germany.

[Adriana Mar]

You were in the archives. No, and that's a good point. That's a good point.

[Olivia Mar]

I should have the sambas at least.

[Adriana Mar]

No, I'll get you a bare minimum. Make sure you're decked out.

[Alan Burson]

Make sure they're bedazzled.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, you know what? Two shoes, though, is funny. Share our shoe thing.

[Olivia Mar]

Listen, this season, when I was partnered with Alone, I was like, okay, we're either getting eliminated first or we're gonna make it really far.

[Adriana Mar]

And that.

[Olivia Mar]

So I bought blank Converse. Just white Converse. And after every dance before we performed it, we would. She would write down week one name of the song.

[Adriana Mar]

Okay.

[Olivia Mar]

And I still have them somewhere in my trunk. And it's the car trunk. Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

But let's get our closet.

[Olivia Mar]

No, I still have it. It was really cool. And I'm gonna. I'm gonna.

[Adriana Mar]

I think you should keep doing that.

[Olivia Mar]

And put it in a box. It was gonna go in the box with the Mirrorball trophy, but.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, so right.

[Alan Burson]

They can still go in a box, though.

[Ilona Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Let's get into tea time. Because you talk about, you know, not knowing how far we're gonna go. What were your first impressions of me as a dancer? I've learned that he did not think highly of my dance skills.

[Olivia Mar]

That's not true.

[Ilona Mar]

How did you find that out?

[Alan Burson]

What do you mean?

[Olivia Mar]

I was very excited. You were my partner. We walked in, we started dancing.

[Adriana Mar]

Then he wasn't.

[Olivia Mar]

Okay. Yeah, this is gonna be fun. It's gonna be a long season. No, honestly, I didn't know what to expect. We've never had a rugby player on the show.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. No.

[Olivia Mar]

And I never realized how athletic you could be, which is such a blessing, especially on the show. But I think the best part about you was the hard work ethic. You know, you never gave up. You always tried really hard, and then you ended up getting it. You know, I feel like for you, and I don't want to speak for you, but I feel like what was harder was more mentally.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

As opposed to physically.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, you, by the end of it, you were amazing. You were honestly quick step week on.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, no, we did. We did got. We got much better.

[Olivia Mar]

You crushed it.

[Adriana Mar]

That was because the haters were coming for us.

[Olivia Mar]

I think when the confetti hit you.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, it really knocks.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

Yes.

[Olivia Mar]

No, but honestly, the last, like, three weeks were just unbelievable. And I think you surpassed not only my expectations, but probably your own and everyone else's the nations. But, yeah, the first week was.

[Adriana Mar]

But you also. So I think you didn't know. You'd never know who you're going to part your partner's going to be. And then there was rumors that I would be on. But you also, one time, I think, where you hope somebody's partner, and then it got messed up for you.

[Olivia Mar]

I legit this time I was like, don't tell me my partner. Because one season I was told who my partner was. I was about to go there, and they're like, ooh, there's a switch. Didn't turn out great. So this time I was like, I'm just going to walk in without any expectations. And it worked out perfectly.

[Alan Burson]

But you were hoping it was her.

[Olivia Mar]

I was hoping it was her.

[Adriana Mar]

Really?

[Alan Burson]

Why so?

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, just because I already saw her in the Olympics and I was like, she's got a lot of impact. She's funny. If I'm gonna spend five hours with somebody every day, I want to have fun.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, you don't want to be miserable.

[Adriana Mar]

We were kind of told, like, who a partner could be for us. Well, first we had, like, some requirements that I make fun of. You know, the 6:2 thing that I make fun of. Because we were like, well, we want to tell our partner and. And the amazing producer of dancer stars, Dina. She's the best. She was like, oh, I got something for you. He's great. He's six two. And they. They gave us, like, they told us a couple about. Couple that could be who. Who? We think so. Olivia had me watch the. The season before with you just to get a vibe for You. And I remember thinking. I was like, oh, this guy's very, like, animated. Because that. But that's how Dance with the Stars is. It's very animated. And I wasn't sure if that's, like, if it was all a front and I was here, like, this guy could be really animated. Nice on the show, or he could just be. And then be a total, like, not fun, actually. So we kind of knew it was you. I came into the studio for our meet, and you were just sitting there, and I walked by the studio, and I was like, well, it's Alan. So then I walked by, and then it was this whole thing of, like, oh, it's Alan. I'm so excited. And we kept that up. But it was also. I was scared that all of a sudden, like, the mask would be ripped away and you would just be kind of like, all right, here we go. Let's do it. But it was. I was so happy that it was how you were. Is actually how our time together would be.

[Olivia Mar]

I remember that first meeting really well. I still get nervous. I don't know how many times. I've been a. Probably like 10 years now.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And I still get, like, super nervous. And then I remember you walking in and you were pretty nervous.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. I was so stressed, too, because I knew it was going to be hard work, though. I've never been like, oh, this is just going to be a fun show. I knew it was going to be hard. And I had heard rumors that you can be tough on your. Your partners. And I was like, okay. I wasn't scared of that, though. I was like, okay, perfect. I think you. What did you first teach me? Was the New Yorker the first thing? And that's where he was like, well, I think you went and told people I was really bad, too.

[Olivia Mar]

God.

[Adriana Mar]

He went on the group chats and was saying we could have the next, like, you know, worst dancer. No, no, no, no. You. I wasn't. I wasn't good. I was ready to learn, though. But, like, for those first. I was nervous. I didn't know what's happening. And it's like, you got to go, go, go.

[Olivia Mar]

I'm going to be honest. You're only as good as your teacher, so if you don't have a good teacher, it's not your fault. So I was a little nervous as well. I was like, oh, God, did I teach her bad? No, but you. Honestly, I think after the first day, we had that little break to do promos.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

We went to New York. We came back and you were like a different person. I think you were just nervous.

[Adriana Mar]

Do you remember that promo shoot? Yeah, I had it. What is your thoughts of how I was on that day?

[Olivia Mar]

It was hard because I think you were in heels for the. Like, the whole day.

[Adriana Mar]

Whole day.

[Olivia Mar]

And we were just being herded.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, herded, like.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, to, like, different areas. It was long. It was fun. But, like, I also think it was the first time you got to meet, like, everyone else. Yeah, well, some of the other people.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, I just remember they were like, okay, now dance. I was like. I thought I was learning to dance.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Why? And so I had to dance for the camera. And, like, you know, they try to make it fun for you, so they start. Yeah. Everyone's like. I was like, shut up.

[Olivia Mar]

Olivia was there. And I was like, oh, Olivia, she's doing great. Don't worry about it. Yeah, she's doing great, sweetie.

[Adriana Mar]

But Olivia saw me.

[Alan Burson]

I'm watching the monitors. I have videos of it still where I'm, like, trying to be like, oh.

[Adriana Mar]

She looks so beautiful.

[Alan Burson]

And I'm like, oh, she's actively having a panic attack right now. Could you pick up on that night, like, her nerves?

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, yeah, I could tell she was nervous. But I also think it was great that you were there. You know, you kind of went on this journey with us.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Adriana did it from New York.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, she was there virtually remotely.

[Alan Burson]

She was there.

[Olivia Mar]

She was there remotely. Remotely. But you were there almost every day, and I think that was nice, having that comfort, you know, having the sister having. You know, whenever she didn't want to do something, Olivia would walk in. Hey, yeah, we're not doing this.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, she's not gonna do that.

[Olivia Mar]

Cool. Alone.

[Adriana Mar]

Just tell me.

[Olivia Mar]

No, I'm kidding.

[Adriana Mar]

We got better at that. It was just the beginning of learning how to work with each other. And because all of a sudden, you're like. You meet this person, the next day you're thrust in with them. Sorry, the next day. What's the word? I feel like I use that word a lot, too.

[Olivia Mar]

That's a dance move.

[Adriana Mar]

Thrust. The next day, you're really, like, forced to spend time together. Like, we spent that promo shoot. We were hours together, and then we had to do this together. And, like, you, this person you don't even know, you've just met, and all of a sudden, you're with them every single day.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. I mean, we literally did not have a day off.

[Adriana Mar]

No, no.

[Olivia Mar]

Except for that week, for.

[Adriana Mar]

We had, like, two days off.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

And then even then, you made Me come in to. To train on my off day. I was like. He's like. He's like, we got to do this quick step. Please give me an hour and a half.

[Olivia Mar]

It was intense. How did you guys feel watching her?

[Ilona Mar]

I. For your first one, I was so excited. I had, like, seven friends come over in my living room, and I was.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, everyone alone is going.

[Ilona Mar]

And I remember just, like, seeing you on my screen like that. I was like, this doesn't feel real. Why is my sister on my screen? And it was really amazing. Like, I could tell how nervous you were during your first dance. Like, all my friends afterwards, like, she did so good. And I was like, she was shitting bricks.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, ask Alan. I messed up. No, no. No one saw it. And then he breaks up, and he's like, that's what happens when you don't balance your weight. And I'm like, you're so. It was a foot dragon. Where I just found it. Yeah, now I remember clearly.

[Olivia Mar]

I can see it.

[Adriana Mar]

I can't even watch that dance.

[Alan Burson]

The editors on Tick Tock love that clip too.

[Adriana Mar]

That would have been a perfect clip. They use it all the time anyway.

[Olivia Mar]

So what's funny is Ilona was like, I'm not much of a practice person. I like to just go in and do it. Other than, yeah, we're practicing.

[Adriana Mar]

We practice that dance for two weeks.

[Olivia Mar]

Too long.

[Adriana Mar]

That one was long.

[Olivia Mar]

The first episode is hard because on a normal week, you only get, like, three days to learn the dance. On the first week, you get like, a week and a half, and then you're practicing it, and you don't want to get that expectation of doing it taking that long to learn it every week. So I was like, okay, let's learn it. Okay, let's learn the next dance. But then by the end of it, you're like, oh, I'm kind of tired of doing this dance. And we haven't even done it yet.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, but it's okay.

[Olivia Mar]

You did crush it. You did the dance first experience. You don't know what to expect on your first experience. And you did a really good job. You didn't run off the floor. So that's a win.

[Alan Burson]

That's a win.

[Adriana Mar]

Never did that.

[Olivia Mar]

You didn't.

[Adriana Mar]

Maybe I cried. Maybe I messed up, but I never ran off.

[Alan Burson]

For me, I loved, obviously, watching you and watching you go on that journey and the confidence. Confidence that you gained every week. And I think that you were such an exemplary, like, person that does the Dancing with the Stars journey. You got better, right? Like, that's what you're there to do. We wanted to see you struggle. We wanted to see you do it and do it like a normal person or, you know, Olympian that might look like a person that has a normal Olympian person.

[Olivia Mar]

It's just normal.

[Alan Burson]

It's just whatever. But then I also just loved watching your guys's partnership, like, grow and flourish and, like, kind of from the moment, like the moment you got together in that first meeting, there was this conspiratorial energy that was like, all right, let's do this thing, like, from the get go. We're gonna make. We're gonna make. We're gon to do. We're going to do the social media. We're going to do the practicing. We're going to take this seriously. And I think that was awesome.

[Olivia Mar]

I 100% agree. I think it was more than, you know, some seasons you just do your job. You go in, you rehearse, you leave. I feel like we became friends. You know, we went rest, we went to eat all the time. We went to the. The spa all the time. We worked out. Yeah, we're not giving the promo. Sorry, guys.

[Adriana Mar]

Sorry.

[Olivia Mar]

No. And we worked out together.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, it was.

[Olivia Mar]

It was more than just like, oh, let's just dance. And I think that's what made the relationship really fun and the partnership really good. It's weird because, again, I've done this so many times. You never know what to expect.

[Adriana Mar]

Right.

[Olivia Mar]

And so I got very, very lucky with you, Ilona. I'll tell everyone she is one of those people where I'm like, she is. What Dancing with the Stars is, you want to take somebody who doesn't dance, who doesn't know what they're doing, who goes out there, who's nervous. I'm just. Keep going nervous.

[Adriana Mar]

Really, really bad.

[Olivia Mar]

And you turn them into somebody with the glimmer of somebody who can actually dance.

[Adriana Mar]

But that's what you talked about. You'd always like. Even if I did, I'd be like, that's fine. This show is about improving.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

That's what it's about.

[Olivia Mar]

And I will safely say I don't think there's ever been somebody who has came on the show and embraced it more and has learned more and came out a different person. In regards to dancing, at least. I don't know how you feel about yourself, but as a dancer, you came out as a different person.

[Adriana Mar]

I don't really feel like a dancer, but I'm wearing my dance shoes right now. I. I think you're right. About it was mostly the mental thing for me because physically everyone's like, is it tough? Physically, I'm like, I usually get hit and I have to run and I get tackled and be tackled. So that wasn't tough. It was like mentally that I couldn't figure out.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Because it was like you would tell, I see this all time, but you tell me to do something and I would do it, but then I wouldn't do the toe thing. And then you tell me, okay, now do this. And so I think that was really hard for me because it wouldn't link up. Like, I've never played a sport where you had to do a routine. My sport was always this happens. So what are you going to do next? You have to adapt to it. Whereas dancing is like, this happens, then this happens and this is going to happen.

[Olivia Mar]

It's also. Is very different for team sports and rugby especially, like you said, you make decisions on the fly and you have so much time to like, if they score, you can wreak and score as well on a dance. On this you get a minute and a half. One time live.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

If you mess up, you mess up. Like, there's no, like, oh, I'm gonna fix it again. Figure that out, you know, so it's, it's a very different mentality.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Because you're not able to just like fix it on the fly.

[Adriana Mar]

And the thing is you can practice so much, but then that one time you do it and it's the one time I do it, I'll do it perfectly. And then we do it on in the show.

[Olivia Mar]

Rehearsals. But in rehearsals, I could see your confidence, you know, by the, by the end of the week you were ready. And then I think sometimes you just were like, oh, God, I gotta do it now.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And I think that extra pressure is what gets to you. But it's not just you, it's everyone.

[Ilona Mar]

Did you like, get any tricks on, like how to like, help her before show?

[Adriana Mar]

Well, after my big breakdown, jive week, hair metal night.

[Olivia Mar]

We don't speak about that.

[Adriana Mar]

We don't speak about that week.

[Olivia Mar]

I think we realize like you started thinking of it as a game. Yeah, as a rugby game. And we would do the same thing before. We would walk on, on stage. There's a little staircase there. And she would sit down there and visualize and you would say something.

[Adriana Mar]

I just, I say words that I say before rugby composure. Undisturbed, like things like as the outside. Because there's. I think undisturbed was like there's so many Outside factors, like, I would have problems when I got in the ballroom and start dancing, and the crowd would get so loud. So, like, week two, and we did those flips.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

The. The crowd was so loud that I, like, lost my place. And I loved it.

[Olivia Mar]

It's a. It's 100. And it was loud for me too. And I experienced it on the regular. I don't want to brag. Okay. I don't want to brag. It's really loud in this crowd.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But, you know, you. It was really loud. And when we were dancing, I was like, holy.

[Adriana Mar]

Beep.

[Olivia Mar]

I don't swear, guys. No. I was like, holy. They are loud.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And I remember, like, we both looked at each other like, oh, my God.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. I got. I'd get a little in my head with that, I think, because, like, people and then you get Lose your place a little because it's so exciting. But I just started doing that in the hallway before. I'd always sit down, have water, try to, like, I would count, breathe, and count to 10. Because I was just like, game days. Like, even when I got on the floor, I was like, hitting my shoulders, like, revving up to go. It's a whole process. Like, you have to this. To this. You have 15 seconds here, 30 seconds there. So there's so many time in between where you can just think about it and your heart gets going. You're watching other people perform. It's a real mind. Mind challenge for me. It's a doozy. Yeah. Which. Which you do all the time.

[Olivia Mar]

But even for me, like, with you, like, when I dance, especially on the show, I don't care about myself. You know, My whole purpose is to make sure you feel good and look good. And so when you get nervous or you get upset, it makes me like, oh, I failed her. You know, So I never got frustrated with you. And I said, that's what he says. I say this, and I will say it all the time. I never get frustrated with you messing up. I get, like, sad and upset with myself that you messed up because maybe I didn't prep you well enough. You know? Like, it's a weird feeling because when you're in rugby, I'm sure you guys train really hard. You know, if somebody. If somebody messes up, you can pick up the slack.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, but it's hard for me to pick up the slack when you're standing there by yourself.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And my whole job is to make sure that you are prepared enough.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

So I would start getting, like, emotional and, and frustrated with myself, like, oh my God, did I do enough? Is she ready? And you are ready every time. You were ready every time. And I think, you know, like, I think looking back at it, you're like, okay, yeah, there was a few times where the nerves got to you, but overall, like, you rocked it. You went in there and I never realized how many people could support somebody. And I feel like you really not only took that support, but you also bring it back to everyone. And that's what's different about you and you guys about, like, than other people that are on the show.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, you very much care about everyone. You know, I want to realize how to make sure that you feel safe in that we're teammates, if you like. And I said this a lot, but words don't mean a lot. You know, it's like, I was like, if you mess up, I don't care. And I feel like even after you did mess up, I was like, I still don't care as long as you know that, like, I got you.

[Adriana Mar]

You ever try to take a picture.

[Alan Burson]

And no matter what, it just doesn't look as good as it does in real life? Yeah, not a problem. With my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its 200 megapixel camera, every detail is crystal clear. So my photos actually look how I remember them.

[Adriana Mar]

The new 50 megapixel ultra wide lens game changer. No more blurry wide shots of the whole squad. The ultra wide lens captures wide shots and incredible detail and nightography zoom. I finally have concert photos that aren't just blurry lights and regret.

[Ilona Mar]

Plus, Audio Eraser saves my videos by allowing me to minimize unwanted background noise so I can relive the best parts of my favorite memories.

[Alan Burson]

Basically, S25 Ultra makes it so I don't have to try hard to capture great content. It just does it for me. The AI helps give my content a polished look that's ready to light up my socials. That means I don't have to spend time later finessing the shot with a filter. Personally, my selfie game has never looked better thanks to S25 Ultra.

[Adriana Mar]

My S25 Ultra makes sure every shot is frameworthy so I can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about capturing it. Disclaimer Audio Eraser is compatible with common video formats. Accessible in gallery. Helps to minimize six select sounds. Results vary. Galaxy AI features by Samsung are free through 2025 and require Samsung account login. I've never been good at mistakes, even in rugby. Like when I knock A ball on. I'm like, well, I'm the worst player. I hate myself, and. But I. I'm. I allow other people to make mistakes. So I'm okay if my teammates knock on. I'm okay if they're like, that's okay. Hey, guys, that's all good. But when I do a mistake, I'm like, I've messed it up for everybody.

[Olivia Mar]

I. I see that. And I'm like, I see that a lot because I'm very similar in that when you mess up, I'm like, oh, it's okay if I mess up. I'm like, oh, my idiot. What did I just do? No, but it's. It's crazy to have that similarity. And I think we were so similar in certain things. If there was ever a moment of tension, I think we were both like, yeah, it's okay. We're gonna get over it. Like, it's not a big deal.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And we got over it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

We had some. What was it?

[Adriana Mar]

What do we call them?

[Olivia Mar]

No. Steak burritos.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, yeah. No.

[Olivia Mar]

Food was our. Really our.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, we would have some times where we'd be like, because, again, guys, every day I'm in the room with him having to learn these dances. And so there'd be days when we would not like each other and be like, all right, you still want to go to the spa?

[Olivia Mar]

You still want to go?

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, but it's an interesting time to.

[Olivia Mar]

Go get Thai food.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Those are really good place. We're not gonna say that place.

[Olivia Mar]

We don't shout anyone out.

[Alan Burson]

This is now the gatekeeping.

[Adriana Mar]

We. The thing about, I think people don't realize is, like, I do a lot on social media. Like, that was my thing in the Olympics. But Alan also was a big driver of it and also a big creative of it, because we both, I think, saw the impact of it. We saw what it could do. And also, like, it allowed people to connect with us. Like, people got to see Allen in a different light. They got to see me. They got to see, like, us having fun, us crying, whatever. It was. Like, I think that was a big help to us, but also, we just wanted people to. To see.

[Olivia Mar]

I think it was. I've never been with a partner that was so open. And I think, again, what makes you stand out is how genuine and vulnerable you are. You'll go on Instagram, you'll cry, you'll say, you have a hard day. You. You don't just make everything so. Oh, I have the best life.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, and I think that was really awesome to see.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Because I think so many people connected with you on that.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And I wanted to be a part of that. And, you know, in my past seasons, I'm like, okay, let's. Let's film a video with you. I'm like, yo, let's film a video. Like, get Olivia in here.

[Alan Burson]

What are we filming today?

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, what's gonna get this, this, this, and this.

[Ilona Mar]

You guys are pumping videos.

[Olivia Mar]

She was really. I'm gonna say you don't give yourself enough credit. You bring a lot of video ideas.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. But people don't give you credit for it as well. Alan is very funny.

[Olivia Mar]

No, but it's. You know, it was fun to be able to take breaks when we're dancing, be like, oh, let's film something.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And then also be like, okay, let's get to work.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, that was something that, again, you don't always click with. Sometimes it's. You're dancing with somebody, and I'm like, hey, let's film a video. Because you want the fans to know who you are.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And people are like, oh, no, I don't really. You know, I'm tired.

[Adriana Mar]

Or keep. Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And you're always just like, yeah, let's do it.

[Adriana Mar]

We also noticed people, some people, trying to keep a Persona up. Right. Like, of wanting to appear this sort of way. I think what Alan and I really got along well is, like, this guy would put on a skirt and be like, all right, sweet. What are we doing? How do you want me to act? Here's the idea. Yeah, you did.

[Olivia Mar]

I was asking for a wig so I could join you. All the long hair. But it didn't work out.

[Alan Burson]

Didn't work out.

[Olivia Mar]

I also. What I noticed is, like. And this goes back to, like, the dancing part A. I remember in the beginning of the season, you were like, I don't really want to be lifted.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. I had my feet on. Two feet on the ground.

[Olivia Mar]

I don't get lifted.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Why? We're the same size.

[Ilona Mar]

So you were scared.

[Adriana Mar]

I was very scared, yes.

[Ilona Mar]

You didn't trust him enough, Alona.

[Adriana Mar]

I grew to trust him.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh. And I grew to trust her. She lifted me more. I was freaking out.

[Adriana Mar]

He liked it, though. Once he got lifted the first time, he's like, this is really funny.

[Olivia Mar]

Honestly.

[Alan Burson]

I like it around control.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

No, it was really funny, though, because I've always been like, to a partner, hey, just let me lift you. You'll feel what it feels like.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Alona tried to lift me. I was like, yo, what are we doing? Put me down. Put me down.

[Adriana Mar]

I think he went apologized to Daniela. He's like, so sorry, man. Dan, lifting is really hard. Being. Being lifted is very hard.

[Olivia Mar]

All the girls that I've ever lifted, now I'm like, yo, sorry for like just lifting you as vulnerable. And lo like, alan, get over here. I'm like, no, no, no.

[Adriana Mar]

We had to do a lot. There is. There are some videos of him going down hard. Oh, hard. But one time he went down, he was like, great, great stuff out. I think my elbow's out of place.

[Olivia Mar]

Post it.

[Adriana Mar]

I think I have it somewhere.

[Olivia Mar]

I literally fell. Okay, that's great.

[Adriana Mar]

Wow.

[Olivia Mar]

We're so good.

[Adriana Mar]

We're having fun thing you now, like, I'm a different body type than all the other partners you've had. I mean, you've had tall partner, like, you know, But I am a very strong woman. Like the same size even. I think Val talked about on podcast, we aren't your average looking dance couple. I think you really took that and were like, okay, cool, I can do something different with this.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

And the thing is also about Dance with Stars is like, Alan's choreographing everything himself. So every week that guy's making his own dances, which I think is crazy. So he's like in his head having to craft a dance for me, but his. And I love for you to talk about it, like taking me, taking my body type and also making it feminine while doing the lifts and whatnot.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, I think it's. It's easier towards the end of the season because, like, I know you so well already. I know what works, what doesn't. In the beginning, it's hard because, you know, we'll make a dance and for example, the Cuban break move where we cross. You know the Cuban break.

[Adriana Mar]

I know the Cuban break.

[Olivia Mar]

You actually really good at it. For some reason. Even on week one, her hips were freaking moving. That's what people online are saying. I don't know. Booktok is all over it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But it was like, you. I don't know what. What you can do.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But then like, towards the end of it, I'm like, oh, she looks really good with this. Her arms are really strong here. But yeah, creating it. It's hard because again, you don't have a lot of time. You. We do the show on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we gotta start learning the dance.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

By Thursday, we have to have a video of the full dance.

[Adriana Mar]

Yes.

[Olivia Mar]

So a lot of the time, even I'll prep Something. And then we get into the studio, and I'm like, okay, this has to change. How do you feel about this? Or this? You know, there's a lot of. Like, even afterwards, I'm like, just sleep on it. We'll get better tomorrow. And if it doesn't, I'll change it. So it's. It's a lot more collaborative than you think. Like, a lot of the things, like, I would ask Alona, like, what do you want to do here? What do you feel comfortable doing here? And it was nice that you had an opinion.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You knew what you like to do. You knew what felt good for you.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, even, I think, in the salsa, you were like, oh, I want to. Like, I want to.

[Adriana Mar]

I was always trying to be sexy. I was like, this, too, is sexy.

[Olivia Mar]

I want you to go on my leg here.

[Adriana Mar]

I don't know if I said that.

[Olivia Mar]

Next time, shave.

[Adriana Mar]

No, I love that idea. How about you make it nice and clean?

[Olivia Mar]

No, but, you know, it was. I don't know. I look back at it, and I'm like, oh, this was just fun. I really wanted to make sure that, like, oh, I'm not trying to hide you. You know, you bring so much to the dance floor. I really want everyone to see not only how much you're growing, but, like, how good you are. So a lot of the times, and I'm not going to speak on other people, other pros, but, like, they'll try to, like, dance in front of their partner, like, hide them with you. I was like, oh, I want her to be a star. I want you to shine even if it's not perfect. You don't got to be perfect. You know, people love you because you try, not because you're perfect. Not saying that you're not perfect.

[Alan Burson]

Not saying that.

[Olivia Mar]

Wouldn't say that, but you know what I mean. So I really made sure that, like, even if it might have not been the best move, like, you're going out there and. And you're selling it, because I think that means more to people watching than you getting a perfect score or. Yeah, you know, it's more inspirational to me, at least for you. Like, going out there, out of your comfort zone, really working hard for something and achieving it.

[Alan Burson]

What was everyone's favorite dance of the season of yours? I've got, of course. On the count of three.

[Adriana Mar]

Wait.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

[Adriana Mar]

She's forgotten. Not this.

[Alan Burson]

Not the song name. The actual dance.

[Adriana Mar]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

Three, two, one.

[Adriana Mar]

All right. What did you say? I don't think anybody Picked up, she said, rumba, rumba. Rumba's a great love. Why so?

[Alan Burson]

Why so?

[Ilona Mar]

The dedication to the song, your outfit, how good the dance was, especially from the week prior. Like, you could just see, like, such a huge improvement. No, that's the journey that you were on. You know, you had.

[Alan Burson]

She did the split.

[Ilona Mar]

It was like, a crazy difference.

[Olivia Mar]

She did the splits.

[Adriana Mar]

That was a big. For me, too. I love. And my splits, we mean almost there.

[Alan Burson]

But, like, Alan would bring her a little lower every time.

[Olivia Mar]

What the hell's going on here? No, that rumble was really good. And you're right.

[Ilona Mar]

It felt like a breakthrough.

[Olivia Mar]

It was a breakthrough.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And, like, it was just, I think the first time where you showed, like, a very sensitive and vulnerable side. Not just like, oh, I'm gonna go out here and be athletic and. And do the jive or. Yeah, because the jive is very athletic. The salsa, we did lifts, you know, you also were very good in the foxtrot, which I did.

[Adriana Mar]

I didn't mind the foxtrot.

[Ilona Mar]

What song was that one?

[Olivia Mar]

I think that was Lady Marmalade. But the rumble was, like, the first time where I was like, oh, I like the rumba.

[Adriana Mar]

I liked it a lot.

[Olivia Mar]

The hair was down.

[Adriana Mar]

You crafted it beautifully for it, too, with, like, the spin. And the end of it, I think was, like, really nice. And I. My outfit for that. I have a quote saying where I. I was like, I want to be as naked as possible because I just. I didn't feel this, but, like, I felt very covered up at times by some of my outfits in the previous weeks. And so I went to the. The wardrobe department is amazing there. I went to them. I was like, I want to be naked. I want to be like those other girls, and I want to wear less, less, less, less.

[Olivia Mar]

And so I remember you posted. I'm pretty sure Sza commented.

[Adriana Mar]

Yes, she did.

[Alan Burson]

She did.

[Adriana Mar]

That's my girl. But I wanted to feel very beautiful because even, like, showing off, like, Alan was creating this dance, these dances for my body type to look so beautiful, I also wanted to show it off in such. Yeah. Good lights. And I think that was a perfect dance. Perfect outfit for that.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

So what was your favorite?

[Olivia Mar]

Well, what was your favorite?

[Adriana Mar]

I said the passo.

[Olivia Mar]

The pasta, I also love.

[Adriana Mar]

That was. That was a really fit. That was a good one.

[Alan Burson]

Full body, chills.

[Adriana Mar]

Like. Yeah, that was great.

[Alan Burson]

Into your power. And you just felt it just rolling off of.

[Adriana Mar]

You know what? Because, like, before that, when I got. I was getting angry because everyone was saying, I didn't deserve to be. Not everybody dramatic, but a lot of people online are saying, like, I didn't deserve to be there or anything like that because, like, oh, she doesn't. Has none of the best dancers. And I was like, I'm improving every week and constantly trying. And so I think this one, the way that he crafted it, like, to be so powerful and, like, sexy and. And all these moves and, like, you know, there's a moment where I walk and everybody's behind me. Like, what a cool. That was a cool moment. Cinematic and, like, me on me up there on stage again, putting me front and center, like, doing the move in the beginning. I love. Love that.

[Olivia Mar]

So, I mean, the pasta was honestly one of my favorite dances for sure. And it was in the semi finals, and we had two dances that week. Super stressful. But honestly, the two best dances I think we've done. Yeah, it was the.

[Adriana Mar]

The semi final.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. And then the Beanies Walls.

[Adriana Mar]

I love that one. I thought that was that one took us a minute to learn as well.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Remember that first day?

[Ilona Mar]

Was that your answer does not happen.

[Alan Burson]

Is that what you said?

[Adriana Mar]

Well, beanie is also my favorite, but, like, I couldn't get these steps down. And then. And then Emma helped again, and I was like, oh, my God. No, it's how it happens.

[Olivia Mar]

And then, like, by Friday, it was like, oh, these dances are special. I knew.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

When we started doing those dances towards the end of the week and, like, actually, like, running into music, I was like, oh, this is. This is the right time to have good dances.

[Adriana Mar]

I think we slayed that week for sure.

[Olivia Mar]

No, honestly, that was probably the best week.

[Adriana Mar]

Probably the best week.

[Olivia Mar]

I chose the freestyle because it was really cool. I loved the whole monologue in the beginning. I love, like, you walking, talking, going down, like, memory lane and the bin. But never been better. Carrie.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, that was great. I messed it up for the timing.

[Olivia Mar]

I was like, no, she changed the words to what I wanted originally.

[Alan Burson]

Really?

[Olivia Mar]

She's like, no, I think this sounds better. I'm like, okay, do whatever you want. She rips away. Never been better. Carry on.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, it was.

[Alan Burson]

That was your idea.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, I was supposed to say. And Carrie Anne. And then there's a little background noise. Never been better. Yeah, but I missed that. And it was. The background noise is like. That's what I was saying.

[Alan Burson]

Okay.

[Adriana Mar]

And so I said, never been better.

[Ilona Mar]

It works so well, perfectly.

[Olivia Mar]

Also, you looked incredible.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, that was fun. Well, again, I was like, I want something sexy and I want something Glittery.

[Alan Burson]

And for people that maybe don't know what we're talking about, though. Can you explain the. Never been better carry on or.

[Adriana Mar]

Okay. In the week, we don't speak of. You know, it's a jive. It was a very. Jive was tough for me.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Gene Simmons was there. He was calling everyone sexy. There's so much, so much anticipation for artists.

[Adriana Mar]

Right, right, right. And so I kind of got. Because the jive's very fast dance is like, no breaks. This to this to this to this, this. And I was. I got off. I got off from, like, get from. I think jumping down. I was off. Huh. And then I slightly got it. Lost it again. Lost it again.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. And it was just a tough week. It was a tough dance. The week actually wasn't even that bad. You were really good in the week. But I think the. If I remember Craig. I remember Craig. No, but I remember I was like, oh, you're good at the drive. Like, you got that high energy. No, I'm thinking about somebody else. No, you weren't bad. I know it was tough because it was fast. And you said from the get go, you were like, if you mess up one step, it's hard to catch on. But I will say I was like, oh, you're gonna be good at it. And then the show happened and we just got lost. But it was okay. But in the judge's comments, so Carrie.

[Adriana Mar]

Ann goes, well, I'm crying at this point. So she goes, are you okay? I'm like, I didn't hear. So I was like, what'd you say? She's like, are you okay? I'm like, been better. Carrie Ann. Because I'm like, crying on in front of national television. Yeah. Honestly, I just gave a terrible jive.

[Alan Burson]

Iconic in wild outfits in here.

[Adriana Mar]

Seriously feel good with the outfit on. I didn't. That was my favorite.

[Olivia Mar]

After that outfit, she was like, okay, I need to be sexy outfits.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, yeah. Only sexy outfits.

[Olivia Mar]

But yeah, that line was iconic and went viral.

[Adriana Mar]

Huh?

[Olivia Mar]

It went viral. And I felt like after that I was like, oh, in the freestyle, you gotta say never.

[Alan Burson]

We gotta bring it back. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But, yeah, no. And then other than that whole awesome Ted Lasso moment of you just talking, like.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

It was just so, like, so reminiscent of something just.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, people also connected with us talking and like, our personalities coming through. So I think him choreographing that in with, like, having my personality come through was so like a. A sweet ending to the journey, I guess.

[Olivia Mar]

But then also when you Ripped off the. The jumpsuit, the track suit. You. The Adidas track suit.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You were. You were just so good. Like you.

[Adriana Mar]

I was a little off when I watch it back. Yeah, I was. I was going too fast on the moves and whatnot, but it's okay. I was also, like. It was me. So I never understand these because it's me, an amateur dancer, and I'm dancing with all pros around me. I'm like, can we find someone? Beyonce's lead dancer was in it. I was like, can we get some other people in here? But. So it's like Daniela and Emma and all the. I'm like, okay, here we go. But it was.

[Olivia Mar]

You were good.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, yeah, it was. It was fun, and it was personality driven. And there was moments where I got to speak and we added in, like, a little bit of rugby stuff. We. He took all the little dances from the. They put foxtrot number in there. Apostle number in there. Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

I really wanted her to tackle me.

[Adriana Mar]

We did try to do that. She wouldn't let you, right? Wouldn't let us because they're like, insurance or something.

[Alan Burson]

They also, like, refused to let you guys go to a field.

[Olivia Mar]

I pretty sure they thought Ilona was going to take.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

They thought the rage alone was going to, like, kill you. They were like, alan can't take it.

[Adriana Mar]

I was like, get him to a rugby field. He'll do it right now.

[Olivia Mar]

Remember the football game?

[Adriana Mar]

You did tackle me.

[Olivia Mar]

I will say I took it like a champ.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, that's it. Let's get. That's your. So you were only a ballroom dancer.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

You never did any contact sports?

[Olivia Mar]

My mom would not let me do sports. She said, you're going to get hurt. And then a few years ago, we were. I mean, I think me and Val or somebody else, we were playing basketball. You know, pick up basketball.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Like the boys do.

[Olivia Mar]

I. I dislocated my finger and broke my finger.

[Alan Burson]

My mom was right.

[Olivia Mar]

And I. I'm at the hospital, Mom. Like, three years ago, I'm like, mom, I broke my finger. I told you not to play sports. I was like, no.

[Adriana Mar]

Well, it worked out for you. You're now an amazing dancer. But we have a funny story, because Danny Amendola is, like, actually the same size, if not a little shorter than Alan. So Alan's like, man, I could have. I could have gone to the NFL.

[Olivia Mar]

I really could have gone to the NFL.

[Adriana Mar]

Dang. Another universe.

[Olivia Mar]

I might be delusional, but I truly believe.

[Alan Burson]

Could have been the next day.

[Olivia Mar]

I could have Been a star athlete. I could have been a star. Tom Brady would have been passing it to me. It's interesting. There's so many different styles of dance and it's not like, oh, if you're good at this, you're good at that. It's not like, oh, if you're good at rugby, you're probably good at football, you're probably good at running, you're probably good at this. You know, dancing is so different. Like, contemporary is so soft. We never did a contemporary, but us.

[Adriana Mar]

Both lifting each other just constantly lifts.

[Alan Burson]

Just airplanes.

[Olivia Mar]

We'll do it after. We'll do it for the podcast.

[Alan Burson]

You took a dance class in England.

[Adriana Mar]

It was almost like salsa in a way. Like the, the. The feet, how you do it. And it took me a minute to get it. And then I was like, I got.

[Alan Burson]

This when I was your teammates.

[Adriana Mar]

Right. I brought my team. We all went. I did. I. Jenny took a class. Yeah. And I. I was like, please don't nobody know me for Nancy with stars. Please no one know me for dancing the stars. No, thankfully, nobody in this class. Which is crazy cuz, like all of Bristol was knowing me. But I was like, I said now better at picking things up.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

100 like it. I can now. Oh, you teach me a few steps. I can kind of get.

[Olivia Mar]

I noticed it like week five. I was like, oh, like before it would take like 30 minutes to learn a step and like solidify it. I think you became more comfortable and confident in yourself and you probably, oh, you know what, I can do this. So then you learned it and you would like, pick up steps a lot easier.

[Adriana Mar]

It was crazy. When we went from week one to the again week. I think it was maybe tango week where I was like, we picked up on one day like, oh, yeah, okay. No, I actually got. I got fox shot in like two days.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. Remember, you guys were watching.

[Adriana Mar]

I think it was because I had people watch me.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

You guys are all your first down Wednesday. We came in.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. And then the next day we had like a news outlet came to record us and like, and just do part of your dance. And I kid you not, locked in. Alan and I got out and I did the whole dance perfectly. We were laughing the whole time.

[Olivia Mar]

We're laughing.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, we got through the whole dance perfectly. It was the second day.

[Olivia Mar]

But also you have to dance when there's press. You have to dance without music. So we're kind of like, oh, you just hear them breathing and be like.

[Adriana Mar]

And then I start laughing because I'm like what the.

[Ilona Mar]

Are you counting?

[Alan Burson]

Your feet are just going.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Sometimes. Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Do you ever see those, I love those videos online where it's like you like 1, 2. Cuz he's, he's yelling at me a lot of times like in the, in our Viennese Waltz, you had to tell me when I did the, that thing. And so a lot of times he's talking to me like 1, 2. Like he'll tell it's so loud.

[Olivia Mar]

And you know we have like keywords like when we're rehearsing, like okay, head back or like heel, step, frame. And like I just, I guess I get so used to it and like I'm like, oh, this is going to be a good trigger for her to remember. So like when we're dancing live and the music is loud and the people are loud, I'm like, head back.

[Alan Burson]

As Alona's manager, it's important that I wake up refreshed and instantly ready to tackle the day. That's why I love Now Brief and Galaxy AI on my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Because they give me all the important stuff before I've even had my coffee, my schedule.

[Adriana Mar]

Boom, it's right there. I don't have to scroll through a million emails to know where I need to be the weather. Now I know whether I need an umbrella later or if I can finally wear that cute skirt without freezing with.

[Ilona Mar]

My phone on my Galaxy Watch 7. I even get my energy score so I know if I'm thriving or if it's a three coffee minimum kind of day.

[Adriana Mar]

And the best part, it updates throughout the day. Got a last minute change in plans. Now Brief keeps me on top of it. Need a heads up about traffic before heading out. Already handled. Basically. Now Brief handles the organization for me so I can just be present. And honestly, that's kind of amazing. S25 Ultra is my brain's new favorite teammate.

[Alan Burson]

Disclaimer. Now Brief displays daily select information from select apps. Some apps may require Internet connection and or consent to access data. Personal data intelligence must be enabled. Galaxy AI features by Samsung are free through 2025 and require Samsung account login. Alona was telling us that dancers have a certain sound that they each make for each beat. What is yours?

[Adriana Mar]

Is that?

[Alan Burson]

Describe it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, he does a lot of that. Like Emma does still say ka and.

[Olivia Mar]

Then I do like but you, yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, hey, you do love that. And then even when you're dancing with like, like pros, you love. You like to make noise and you're like pointing, winking like, you're very much so in it. It's almost like fighters have a sound. Like boxers, they make a. They make a sound with it as well.

[Olivia Mar]

Or like tennis. I'm like.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

I told you, though, for, like the New Yorker. I was, like, making noise.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, yeah. Hey. And then it was, wait, hey. Ah. Oh.

[Olivia Mar]

And it works. I don't know why, but it works.

[Alan Burson]

I could feel like you didn't want to do that to start with.

[Olivia Mar]

No, she didn't.

[Adriana Mar]

I did not. I still don't want to do that. I still would rather not, like, make. Make. It wasn't natural to me. Whereas, like, it. It get. You. Gets to be natural. Like, I don't know. I'm due for, like, fighters. It gets me natural. Like, when I live. When I lift in the gym, I have a sound and I like. I do.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, but when you're running on the pitch and you're some. A girl's chasing you, you don't make noise.

[Adriana Mar]

No, I'm too busy. Heavy breathing. Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. But, like, when I run, I'm like, interesting.

[Adriana Mar]

You can probably sort that out actually.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, makana ham.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Right, Right. But I do think it's interesting and I think we should talk about is, like, we get a lot of shippers online of us, like, shippers. But I think what we built was, like, a really beautiful friendship.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

And I think people, like, aren't used to seeing that of like, a man and a woman who are just genuinely enjoy time. Like, we built. Like, first off, we're very similar at times. The point where I was like, I'm gonna punch this guy in the face because he's too much like me.

[Olivia Mar]

I'm surprised she did it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. There was moments I did it. But I think what was special and people don't get to see often is a sort of friendship like that.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

Where it's so, like, people who enjoy spending time together for a common goal. And, like, we love the shippers. It was so funny to us, but, like, we just. In genuinely. I hope we're friends for life.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

No, I think until you get your new partner.

[Olivia Mar]

No, she's gonna show. You're gonna show up there. We will sign. Bam.

[Adriana Mar]

I'm at boo with the.

[Olivia Mar]

You can't even lift him. No. I think, like, our friendship was so special. Again, it's because, you know, we were just having fun.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

There's a lot of platonic chemistry, and that's what people picked up on. It's like, that's so cool. You guys could build A friendship and.

[Adriana Mar]

Relationship like that, you know, which I think also, like, I went into the show, like, knowing, like, you're around this person all the time. You're. You're constantly spending time with them. I was like, like, I kind of treated. I was like, alan's my coach. Like, whenever somebody becomes my coach, that's like, I start to respect him and look up to them that way. And I think that what's made us flourish is, like, knowing, like, this is not a working relationship, but, like, we're here for a common goal. We're here to create something, and we're here for a bigger purpose of, like, inspiring America, whatever it was. And that, I think allowed us to get even closer because you are, you're doing, you're spending time together, you're doing dances where you have to get super close. It's like, like knowing what our, our vibe was and, and what we wanted to do. I think really just like bonded us as well.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And then also when that one guy messaged you, really bothered us.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

So somebody, you know who messaged me.

[Olivia Mar]

She called you right away.

[Adriana Mar]

Okay. I got a dm. I can't say who was from.

[Olivia Mar]

Can't say, but.

[Adriana Mar]

But I freaked out. And then I was like, alan, do you see who this is? Alan? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I went to the producers. I was like, everybody take a look. Everybody take a look. I think I dance the best.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, we did the dance, right. I was like, do it for him. The best dance. If she did it like that, we would have won the show week five.

[Adriana Mar]

And we would have been over. I had to dance for him after that. I was like, that guy. It's. It's interesting and I mean, you know, you've been through so many partners, but it's like, you have to build a relationship in some ways with this person.

[Olivia Mar]

No, I think that's what it is, is like when people say the word relationship, it's not always romantic.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, it's a friendship. It's a, it's partner family. It's a relationship. And our friendship, Our relationship was very like, Like, I'm gonna look out for you no matter what. You know, you're honestly family. Like, I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you. I want to see you happy. I want all this.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And I felt that from you, not so much from Olivia. No, I know. She was awesome.

[Adriana Mar]

Cold hearted bitch.

[Olivia Mar]

She calls me king. It's great.

[Alan Burson]

Some king.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. No, I think that, honestly, that made my time on the show so good. Because I was afraid of, like, what if I don't like my partner? What if this happens? Whatever. So it just really brings it up when you're friends with a person. But it is. It is tough to be friends.

[Olivia Mar]

What would you want to be with anyone else?

[Adriana Mar]

No. Unless. No, I. I wouldn't. Now I. I look at everybody else, and I was like, I don't think the partnership that we had, I don't think. Think. Not to sound like, boastful. I don't think we'll be created again. I think it was a once in a lifetime partnership of also two people who, like, as. As I said, again, not the normal dancer, somebody who's gonna highlight that and work with that. And I think it was like.

[Olivia Mar]

I think a lot of people. I think it was refreshing.

[Adriana Mar]

Refreshing.

[Olivia Mar]

It wasn't just like, oh, a showman, A showmance. Or like, yeah, you know, it wasn't like, oh, they're doing. No, they're friends and they care about each other.

[Adriana Mar]

I think it was like. Like my teammate. Like, to me, you were my teammate. Like, how I would treat, you know, Naya, the people you go through the trenches with, you know, the people you do your conditioning days with, who you just like you. You're bonded in some way that makes you feel that. Because it's. It was a lot of work. I had a lot of breakdowns. We've had a lot of breakdowns together.

[Olivia Mar]

Did we cry?

[Adriana Mar]

We've cried a lot together. There's been moments where he's walked out of the room, and I've been like, I'm going to my corner. Leave me alone.

[Olivia Mar]

I'm going to Crafty.

[Adriana Mar]

He's going to Crafty. And I would go to my corner, and then I land the ground. And then he'd be like, hey, scary.

[Ilona Mar]

When she's in that.

[Adriana Mar]

She's scary when she's like that.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. You guys know her.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, he had to experience a lot. You can talk about my moods as well, where I just get quiet. No, I want them to say, oh, we talk. We. We talk about this.

[Alan Burson]

But, like, I would get texts from.

[Adriana Mar]

Allan being like, is she okay? Is she okay?

[Alan Burson]

Is there anything I can do? I'm like, literally, no, let her be.

[Adriana Mar]

But I would get quiet. I would say I would get quiet with you in. In training, because I was trying to process everything, and I never had an excuse for it. So I think some people be like, well, I didn't do this, because this.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, that's one thing. You never gave an excuse.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, you literally how do I do it again?

[Olivia Mar]

Like, I don't know how to react to this.

[Adriana Mar]

So I would just like look at him like this, like while he's. He's saying something and I'm like, yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

I like say something.

[Adriana Mar]

Then I would just do it again.

[Alan Burson]

And then you have to do it again.

[Olivia Mar]

But it was. Yeah, it's weird not having an excuse. Yes, it's great. But also at the same time I was like, oh, she's just.

[Adriana Mar]

She's really trying to be taking it in. She's maybe not.

[Alan Burson]

Maybe she's plotting my demise.

[Adriana Mar]

Both. Some days. Both.

[Olivia Mar]

No. Who knows to me. So I did. We did Dancing with the Stars Juniors once and that's where I would teach the, the couple.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But I wouldn't get to dance with them on stage.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And that was even more stressful really? Because like with you, if something happens, I can like, like go like say the trigger word and get you back.

[Adriana Mar]

On track or pull it. Pull me around.

[Olivia Mar]

When they're over there, it's like, it's like you guys watching her like, oh, God, just do it right.

[Adriana Mar]

Don't mess up.

[Olivia Mar]

You're like, there's no way to help.

[Adriana Mar]

No.

[Olivia Mar]

How did you guys feel watching her? I mean, you were in the audience a lot.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You came a few times.

[Adriana Mar]

I came to every show, Olivia. Huh. And you came a lot.

[Ilona Mar]

I was there for like more than half of them.

[Alan Burson]

Did you ever notice the mess ups or anything?

[Ilona Mar]

I think I noticed like maybe one thing. But like even during the drive, the drive, like after you were done and like went over and I was like, why are crying? I think someone was like, she messed up. And I was like, I didn't see her mess up. I was like, what are you talking about? And it's still like. It's also because I don't have like the eye, but I didn't see it. But then afterwards, like every other dance, I'd be on the edge of my seat. I'm like gripping.

[Adriana Mar]

And I was like, okay, it's only a minute.

[Ilona Mar]

Okay, it looks good. Looks good. And just like with my untrained eye trying to see it all.

[Olivia Mar]

Do you guys get stressed when she's playing rugby?

[Adriana Mar]

Yes.

[Alan Burson]

Oh my God. The body is like so taut. Just like so same thing there. But I think I was. I got to see a lot of the dances before you actually went out there. So I was a bit of a dance mom. Like, you were more than that.

[Olivia Mar]

One week you had the air horn.

[Adriana Mar]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Alan bought me an air horn. He had it, like, doordashed or whatever, over. And I danced around them because it got so loud in there when you.

[Adriana Mar]

Dance that we needed to, like, like.

[Alan Burson]

Train alone like a spooked horse into, like, into, like, being okay with distractions and noises.

[Olivia Mar]

Olivia's just running around.

[Alan Burson]

I have an air horn. I'm calling her ugly. I'm like, it's a whole thing.

[Adriana Mar]

But, I mean, I think it helped. Yeah. You saw.

[Alan Burson]

So, like, I only noticed slight errors because I knew the dances so much. Like, with you, I was literally in the audience.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, okay, listen.

[Olivia Mar]

You not only became better at not even making errors, but then I think you got really good at, like, if there was an error, you didn't show it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, and honestly, like, the last. Again, the last three or four weeks, you nailed, like, you didn't.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, I messed up in the pasta once. Remember, I got to to. After we did the. We got out of the pivots, and I missed up there. But then I just waited for you.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

I was like.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, but you couldn't even see. We felt it. There's.

[Adriana Mar]

At times the dance we both know, we're like, it was great.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

But you often say that, like, he choreographed for your body, made you feel obviously very beautiful, very sensual. Right.

[Adriana Mar]

Like, did you.

[Alan Burson]

Did your body image, like. Or your perception of it. You always talk body appreciation. How was that throughout Dancing with the Stars?

[Adriana Mar]

Don't know if I think it was just cool to test my body in a different way. Right. Like learning the different movements, like, split. So I can do a split. I can actually. I think. I don't think I could anymore. I think I would be up. This would be me, I think, testing your body in a different way, like, feeling that sensuality for it. And it was just cool because I'm always trying to see what else my body is capable of and. And, you know, even lifting you and this sort of way being lifted as well. Like, oh, look at me. I'm such. So tiny. I'm like a light butterfly, you know, delicate. But I guess it's not only for women, but also for.

[Alan Burson]

She was a fan.

[Adriana Mar]

It wasn't only for women, but, like, as a dancer, is there issues with body image as well for you as a man?

[Olivia Mar]

Well, I think in general, anyone on TV probably has body issues. A dancer for sure, because I think, again, the dancer has a. A mold that they have to fit in. You know, I definitely feel like I've had body dysmorphia. You know, I also, you know, you put so much on Yourself that, like, you don't even know what really looks good, but you're like, oh, I don't feel good. I don't look good. This person doesn't think I look good, so I clearly don't look good. I've learned to love myself a lot more. Believe it or not, I love myself. I. I realized, though, for me, like, going to the gym isn't just about looking good. Like, mentally makes me feel good.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, like, after workout, I'm like, oh, I'm not only proud of myself, but, like, the endorphins are running. And mentally I feel better. And, you know, it just. It makes my mood better. I kind of, you know, obviously I still look in the mirror. I want to make sure that I fit the mold and look good and have a six pack.

[Adriana Mar]

But also that's the thing about your job, is it's so much how you look too. It is how you move it in a look. Whereas I'm like, it's about how I look, but it's more like how I run, perform, you know? Whereas you was like, how you look up there every night.

[Olivia Mar]

So, like, yeah, definitely. Body dysmorphia is a thing. You know, it's like when I was younger, or even like, I did, so you think you can dance. And I remember, like, back then, I would always be shirtless. And I look back at it, like, three years later, I was like, what was I doing? Like, I was like, so not. Not confident in myself that I just wanted to be shirtless. To, like, oh, I believe in myself. And then I realized, and then I think I went, like, in a long period of time, like, not posting shirtless because I was like, why am I doing this? Why am I insecure about this? Who am I posting it for?

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

And then I got in shape and I started posting more.

[Ilona Mar]

More shirtless?

[Olivia Mar]

No, but, you know, it was more of, like, I'm. I. Before the season, I. I went on a strict diet and I got really in shape, and I was more proud of myself.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Not because I looked a certain way, but because I was like, I set a goal and I achieved it.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, I. I truly believe it's better to feel good as opposed to look good.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Because what does it mean to look good? Everyone has different images and different ideas of what looks good, and society shouldn't be the one.

[Adriana Mar]

Yep.

[Olivia Mar]

To tell you what looks good or not. And so I kind of learned that in the last, like, year or two. And I feel like I. I'm a much Happier person about that.

[Alan Burson]

Wow.

[Olivia Mar]

And so I will enjoy a courage bagel with a lot of cream cheese.

[Adriana Mar]

And I want to say too, Alan's an athlete. Alan and I would go work out. He's putting numbers on. I was like, you want me to do how many reps of this?

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, no, we were like completely different back day.

[Adriana Mar]

Just doing lap pull downs and then he would come do some more like rugby based workouts with me. And I was pretty good. He was really good. But I recently commented on his post like, oh, I hope you keep with me in the gym. And someone was like, Alan doesn't need to keep up with you. He's a dance like this guy first off is an athlete. Athlete mentality. He's gonna keep up with me. If I'm doing another rep, he's gonna do another. If I'm adding more weight, he's gonna add more weight to anything. He's pushing me as well in the gym. Like I add weight cuz he's. So dancers are athletes too, guys.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. No, I mean it. It was fun working out with Alona cuz I was like, I cannot let her outlift me.

[Adriana Mar]

You, you couldn't. Upper body. You're much stronger.

[Olivia Mar]

Upper body. But I was.

[Adriana Mar]

I might have had you lower.

[Olivia Mar]

Are strong.

[Adriana Mar]

Might have had him lower.

[Olivia Mar]

I also don't like doing legs because I have to dance and I'm like, I don't want it to hurt, you know, Like I don't want to be like dancing like oh my legs. But you are strong.

[Adriana Mar]

That's true.

[Olivia Mar]

She's strong.

[Adriana Mar]

It's true.

[Olivia Mar]

Upper body. I'm stronger but lower. Like she got me. There was weeks during the show. There's a day she's like 8am I going to the gym. I was like, oh, go without me, go without me.

[Adriana Mar]

It was just one. But you were sick that day, I think.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

You said no because you were sick.

[Olivia Mar]

I was like, I can't. Like other than that.

[Adriana Mar]

Peer pressure gets you. But it wasn't even peer pressure. You were just like, oh, loan is getting stronger. I'm gonna.

[Alan Burson]

Positive peer pressure.

[Olivia Mar]

No, but it's good. But like I'm like, oh, she's. She. Even though we're dancing for four hours a day, she needs to go to the gym and like lift.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

That's really interesting to see.

[Adriana Mar]

Alan, anything you're looking forward to this year? What's next for you? You're on tour now. What's going on?

[Olivia Mar]

You know, we just finishing up a three and a half, four month tour right after the season. So I'm gonna relax a little bit. I gotta do a few more, like, appearances and just dancing. I'm excited for the next season, obviously. Like, I love dancing.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

But, yeah, I don't know. I want to just do some other things. I still feel like, what camera do I look at? Ilona and I need to have our own show.

[Adriana Mar]

Anyone using this wants to. I think we try things. I do a show where we try things. Number one hobby, horsing him. And I send videos to each other because I'm like, this is impressive.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Adriana Mar]

The jumps they're doing, the jumps they're doing.

[Olivia Mar]

And one time, like, the. The horse was not behaving.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, I've seen that one.

[Olivia Mar]

Pet the horse.

[Adriana Mar]

I couldn't jump high.

[Olivia Mar]

Not making fun of it. Straight up. Want to do it?

[Adriana Mar]

No.

[Alan Burson]

Not to give it or genuinely give it. You'd get into it too.

[Olivia Mar]

I'm telling. I want to do a whole show with Alona of, like, trying things because she doesn't want to do skydiving.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

There's no read, no reason.

[Adriana Mar]

Don't get a jump. High dive. I wouldn't high dive. I'd go off of a little diver.

[Olivia Mar]

Surfing Brown.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Sky Brown will teach us how to surf. I'm telling you, if you want to.

[Adriana Mar]

Keep this magic going.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

If you want to see Ilona do things and me do things, probably better. Just as good. If not.

[Adriana Mar]

If not better.

[Ilona Mar]

You know what I've said not better. Amazing race, you guys.

[Adriana Mar]

Us? Oh, can you guys drive sick? Yep.

[Alan Burson]

That's always done it twice.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. Alan and I will join. Who's eating the weird things between the two of you? Between the two of us. One time I'd eat, like, a goat head.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, no, you're doing that. Ah. I don't eat pork or, like, shellfish. Sorry. You don't know. I don't. Just don't know.

[Adriana Mar]

All right. You will jump off the things. I will eat the weird things. And he will be driving.

[Alan Burson]

Perfect.

[Olivia Mar]

So, yeah, we're gonna do a show. I don't know.

[Adriana Mar]

And you guys are invited. I will say this, though. I'm being mean about your partner next season. I do hope you get a great, great partner and that you also have a great relationship with them as well. I will be sad.

[Alan Burson]

I don't know if I'll be able to be watching.

[Adriana Mar]

I genuinely don't know. I don't think I'll be able to watch it, but I'll be like, I hope that you have, like, I hope in a Way each season now you can be like, that was my favorite partner. That was my favorite partner because I think that's just the life, right? Like, hoping that for the next best one. Next best one.

[Olivia Mar]

Like, yeah. You know, again, like, there's you always like, oh, who's your ideal partner? I get that question all the time. Who do you want to your partner? And like, you never like, oh, I want somebody who's going to care and be there. You were honestly an ideal partner. You were likable. You tried really hard. You made it fun. And so, like, it's going to be.

[Adriana Mar]

Hard to top, but hopefully you do. Hopefully we do, but it will be tough. But I do hope you get amazing partners and you win a mirror ball even though it wasn't with me.

[Alan Burson]

That's big of you, though.

[Adriana Mar]

Thank you. I just want to say that wear.

[Olivia Mar]

A wig next year.

[Adriana Mar]

Hello.

[Alan Burson]

She's from the crowd. Oh, she's gonna dance with you. She's in the crowd, like, heckling them.

[Adriana Mar]

I'll heckle them. Sure.

[Olivia Mar]

Heckle like that. She's gonna put a wig on.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. No, I'll be. I'll be. You'll know it's me. You'll know it's me when I'm me and me and him.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

Let's cool it off today with sister. Settle it. Need advice or just want to share a sisterly struggle? Send us a DM or voice note at House of Mar for a chance to be featured on the show.

[Alan Burson]

Alan, do you have a sibling struggle that you want to share with us that we can help, help, help with will tackle?

[Olivia Mar]

I don't have a sibling struggle, but I have a lot of stories. So. Growing up, my family did not come from a lot of money, and I don't know why we started dancing, but my brother would get, like, all the dance lessons from, like, the coaches, and he would, like, give me the hand.

[Ilona Mar]

Me down lessons, the trickle down.

[Olivia Mar]

He was my teacher my whole life. So, like, and he still. We have a. We have a dance studio in Minnesota. Shout out. Dance with us, America.

[Adriana Mar]

No, shout it out.

[Alan Burson]

Shout it out.

[Olivia Mar]

Shout it out.

[Adriana Mar]

Shout it out.

[Olivia Mar]

And so, like, he is honestly phenomenal. He's seven years older than me. We have a sister in the middle who also. We all danced. So, like, we would take, like, road trips to Chicago and, like, go to competitions. And there's. We just spent every day together. We were best friends, but obviously we fought a lot. Yeah. I remember in the dance studio, me and my brother would, like, do turn competitions just, like, to See who's better. And, like, we would just like random stuff, but obviously it was like, you know, it made us better. Now we're really good. All three of us were. You know, we. We go in business together and everything we do. We love each other. We. There's nobody like family, you guys know, like, you can really, like, pick on each other, but also rely on each other.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Those hand me down lessons obviously got you where you are today.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Burson]

So what do you recommend to someone else who's trying to learn dance who might be in a similar sit situation, like in today's day and age?

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, I think it's just, you know, find the people you trust and trust them, you know, Even if I grew up in tough love, you know, but. And that's not always the right approach. But, like, know that, like, the people who have your back, they truly care about you. It is funny on so youo Think youk Can Dance. And I feel like this was my brother's dream more than mine. He wanted to be on so you dance. We audition together, and there was something called Green Mile where they picked the last 20 people that are on the show. And, like, they made us go together. And, like, we're standing there together and they're like, okay, Alan, you're gonna be on the show. And, like, I started crying because I was more devastated for him.

[Adriana Mar]

Right.

[Olivia Mar]

You know, so, like, obviously the show was because they, like drama, but, like, yeah, I really, like, loved. Would have loved it for us to bother, you know, growing up, he was my. My role model and idol, and it's. It's amazing to see. Just, like, when you look up to somebody, especially family, it's, you know, you guys both grow together.

[Adriana Mar]

It's.

[Olivia Mar]

It's really, really awesome. So very lucky to have siblings.

[Adriana Mar]

But he's still very supportive of you now. I mean, it's kind of like. Like Olivia, my older sister and what I've done, like, the way that they still support you but not put aside their egos, but are like, this is also my blood. Like, I'm gonna. Whatever they're doing, I'm supporting. Maybe I would love to do it too. But, like, this is something that's amazing for them.

[Olivia Mar]

Exactly. My brother, him and his wife, they still compete in dancing, and they are phenomenal, amazing. They're in the finals. Like, they're in the top, like, six in America, and they're really, really good. But, like, he can put that aside and be like, hey, everyone, make sure to vote for my brother. Like, look what he's doing.

[Adriana Mar]

They came to the finals.

[Olivia Mar]

They came to the finals. Literally just flew in that day just to support.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. So we got a mirrorball trophy for them.

[Olivia Mar]

It was for them. Not even for. My mom broke her shoe because she was there sitting waiting for the results and she was so stressed. My siblings, my brother Jean and my sister Melanie will like, buy my parents nice gifts because they don't. So we bought her a pair of Louboutins and she wore them and she got so nervous, she broke the heel.

[Adriana Mar]

No.

[Olivia Mar]

Nice.

[Alan Burson]

Alona.

[Olivia Mar]

Way to go, Alona.

[Alan Burson]

What the hell?

[Adriana Mar]

You're part of this too.

[Olivia Mar]

You owe. My mom knew. She.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah. One thing about Alan's brother, Gene burst. And look him up. He has three little. Three daughters. And these girls can dance. Oh, yeah. I love those. Your little nieces and you dance with them all the time. They are amazing dancers too.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah. So it's like, it's amazing to have that close knit family. I know not a lot of people or some people have it, but like, it's rare to have that. You guys have that and it's so special. Yeah. But yeah, no, it's. It's amazing. Even now, like, my family and I, we just bought a dance competition and I was on tour, so I wasn't able to be there, but I was facilitating everything.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah.

[Olivia Mar]

Struggling, but they handle it all so well. So it's like, you know, my brother and sister, they're just, you know, they're. They're family and you can't, you can't beat that.

[Adriana Mar]

No. You might get annoyed with them, but you love them.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Adriana Mar]

Not with you guys. I would never.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, no, no, no. She never said anything bad.

[Ilona Mar]

Thanks so much for coming over to the House of a Wave. Original presented by the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

[Alan Burson]

Be sure to watch and subscribe on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

[Adriana Mar]

Please follow the show on social media HouseOfMar for clips and BTS content. Thank you so much, Alan, for coming on. Honestly, you know my buddy, we had to talk about it. They wanted to hear it. And you've been an absolute pleasure and honor to have you here. See you next time. Not you probably, though. Get out.

[Olivia Mar]

Yeah, no, I'll see you guys.

[Ilona Mar]

Door's over there.

[Adriana Mar]

Yeah, coming over. See you next time.

[Olivia Mar]

Oh, no, I'm stuck here.